Brussels, 29/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President José Manuel Barroso confirmed, on Friday 29 May, the Commission proposal aimed at allocating €109.4 million to offset damage done by the tempest, Klaus, in the south-west of France in January 2009. The aid will be used to reimburse the cost of emergency measures such as rescue operations, cleaning of areas affected and the repair of basic infrastructure. The Commission's decision was “taken with the greatest diligence and speed - just 8 weeks after the request for intervention was introduced on 2 April”, Barroso told the press, praising the “excellent cooperation with the French authorities in preparing the request”.
The Commission points out that the Solidarity Fund can only intervene over and above a certain damage threshold fixed for France at €3.4 billion. Direct damage caused by the tempest Klaus has been evaluated at €3.8 billion, which therefore allows European aid to be activated. (G.B./transl.jl)